Grants and Funding Programs

Business grants and funding programs are primarily administered via State and Federal Governments. There are grants and other assistance available for business activities such as expanding your business, research and development, innovation and exporting.

When looking for grants, funding or financial assistance, the following websites list the current opportunities available. The Business Victoria website lists current grants and assistance on offer from State Government while the Sustainability Victoria website provides information and advice on current funding opportunities relating to business sustainability, resource efficiency and waste and recycling programs. The Federal Government's Grant Finder helps you locate grants and funding programs most relevant to your business. Grants and other funding programs are available for businesses from the Australian, state and territory governments, and in some cases from local councils. You can search through a wide variety of grants in many categories, including developing your business, innovation and education.

Government Assistance

Apprenticeship Plus assists in providing apprentices and trainees across more than fifty vocations while supporting the apprentice or trainee and the employer for the duration of the training period.

AusIndustry deliver business services that build on innovation, investment and international competitiveness.

Austrade is the Australian Government's trade and investment development agency, operating as a statutory agency of the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.

Australian Bureau of Statistics assist small business operators with market research, profiling customers and can help you to understand more about your community.

The Australian Institute of Export provides practical export education and training, a wide range of exporter services and acts as a conduit between industry and government and exporter recognition events.

The Australian Taxation Office provides a range of services associated with small business, such as registering for an ABN and information to assist small business owners in meeting their tax obligations.

Business.gov.au is a Federal Government initiative that provides essential information on planning, starting and running a business.

Business Victoria is a comprehensive online resource designed to help you start, grow your business, access information about key business issues, specific industry sectors; identify the government licences and regulations that apply to your business.

Consumer Affairs Victoria is responsible for advising and educating traders and landlords on their rights, registering and licensing businesses; conciliating disputes between consumers and traders.

Destination Melbourne work with business; community and government to help grow Melbourne as an outstanding global visitor experience.

Export Victoria - help ensure your business is export-ready and thinking about the best way of taking your product or service to the overseas market.

The Grants Connect site has information about federal, state and local government funding programs that can help you. Find government grants and assistance for individuals, businesses and communities.

Intellectual Property Australia is the Australian Government agency that administers intellectual property (IP) rights and legislation relating to patents, trademarks, designs and plant breeder's rights.

Australian Institute of Export (AIEx) - provides practical export education and training, a wide range of exporter services and acts as a conduit between industry and government and exporter recognition events.

Australian Made logo is recognised and trusted, making it the obvious choice for businesses who want to communicate effectively with the hundreds of thousands of consumers who are looking for Australian goods.

Australian Retailers Association (ARA) - is the leading retail body, promoting and protecting the sector by creating value for members and the retail industry through advocacy, advice, education and member services.

Austrade - is the Australian Government's trade and investment development agency, operating as a statutory agency of the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.

INNOVIC - are into helping to turn new ideas, inventions and innovations into viable products and new businesses. INNOVIC offer a wide range of services, free seminars and innovation resources.

Our Community - is a social enterprise that provides advice, tools and training for Australia's community groups and practical links between the community sector and the general public, business and government.

Sustainability Victoria helps small business become more sustainable, and save money on resource. It is best suited to businesses that have access to their energy and water bills and have been operating for at least 12 months.

Destination Melbourne - work with business; community and government to help grow Melbourne as an outstanding global visitor experience.